Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative joint disease, which is also known as osteoarthritis (OA), is what commonly occurs and has been term a “wear and tear” disease that occurs when the cartilage of the joint begins to deteriorate. Cartilage serves as a cushion that protects the joints. This condition can affect any joint but is most common in knees, hands, hips, and spine. Patients may have pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, loss of flexibility, swelling, weakness deformed joints, and damaged cartilage.

It’s been found that over 50% of adults over the age of 65 are affected by degenerative joint disease. This condition is associated with pain, loss of function, and reduced endurance, ultimately leading to weight gain and associated complications. The underlying cause of this condition is typically chronic repetitive motion that results in inflammation and structural joint damage.

Since this is a common factor in most chiropractic offices and it involves abherent motion in the joint, many people have found relief from the pain of degenerative joint disease with chiropractic care.

Some of the predisposing factors include repetitive motion, infection, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, hormone disorders, obesity, and bone disorders. OA is equally common in men and women before age 55 but increases in women thereafter. Knee OA is more common in African-American women. Higher rates are observed in the knees in women and in the hips in men.

People with OA often find relief with manual therapies like those provided at Health 1st. In fact, we have specific treatment therapies to help restore motion and decrease progress of the disease. Don’t continue to suffer, call us today and get on the road to restoration.